Diplomats Drop Two

WINCHESTER, Va. – It was a tale of two games down in
Virginia for the Diplomats. Shenandoah took the first game 3-1 in a
defensive battle and defeated F&M 15-13 in an all out slug fest
in a non-conference baseball double-header. The Diplomats
fell to 5-5-1 while the Hornets (14-4) pushed their win streak to
13.

Bill Murray’s home run to lead off the second, tied the
first game at one run apiece. Shenandoah, which was held to four
hits, scored unearned runs in its first two innings before getting
an earned run in the fifth, making the score 3-1.

The Diplomats had a chance to tie in the seventh, leaving three
men on base. Eric Bornstein singled to left to get things started.
Drew Atkins picked up a single of his own two batters later,
getting F&M a runner in scoring position. Matt Will hit a
one-bagger in the next-at, loading the bases with two outs. Patrick
Moore induced a game-ending fielder’s choice from JT Triantos
to earn his first save of the year for the Hornets.

Mike Duranti (1-1) was saddled with the opening game loss. He
allowed three runs (one earned) on four hits and no walks in 6.0
innings. Greg Van Sickler (4-1) allowed 10 hits and struck
out four picking up the win.

Murray finished the game hitting 2-for-3 with one RBI. Will and
Atkins both finished with two hits each.

The Diplomats opened the second game up strong, scoring eight
runs in the first frame. Will hit a grand slam home run to center
field for half the runs in the inning. Nick Rolnick and Blue Wells
picked up an RBI each and Bornstein knocked in two more to
give F&M an early 8-0 lead.

The Hornets countered scoring a run in first, five in the second
and three in third to take a 9-8 edge. The Diplomats scored three
times in the fifth to take an 11-9 lead before Shenandoah finally
took control for good with five run in the fifth. F&M added two
more runs in sixth, but could not close the gap.

Kyle Scallion, the sixth SU pitcher on the day, pitched the
final 2 2/3 to earn his second win in as many decisions. He allowed
two runs (one earned) on three hits.

Matt Valente (0-2) was tagged with the loss after allowing five
runs (four earned) on five hits in 2.0 innings.

Will ended the game with five RBIs on two hits. Bornstein and
Wells both finished 2-for-3 at that plate with two RBIs apiece.
F&M picked up 12 hits in 32 plate appearances.

F&M complete its spring break trip with a 1:00 p.m. game
with the Hornets tomorrow.